Nearly forty fourth-year students from the Bernardo O'Higgins Mining Technological Institute (ITMBO) participated in an educational visit to the Integrated Operations Center and Occupational Health and Safety Training Center of Codelco, El Teniente Division. This year, it is expected to receive a hundred students from various technical high schools in Rancagua in similar educational sessions.

Initially, this program aims to open the doors of the Division to connect students of mining careers with mining processes, industry needs, technological advances and innovation projects.

Cristián Sanhueza, Codelco's Community Development Director, explained that "as a Division, we maintain a close relationship with educational establishments, since we recognize that technical education plays a key role in the sustainable human development of the territory. With initiatives like this, we seek to impact education, promote learning and foster the human capital necessary for the future of the mining industry. Technical high schools are a key source of talent."

Manuel Tapia, head of the Mining Department at ITMBO, commented that “the experience has been very rewarding because it allows students to learn about the reality of the industry first-hand and decide which area of mining they would like to pursue. This strengthens their graduate profile as future technicians in the mining sector. The students showed great interest in the topics covered during the visit, especially in equipment maintenance, as well as in autonomous and semi-autonomous systems.”

During the day, the students participated in a talk given by professionals from the Occupational Health and Safety Department in which they learned about the divisional strategy and the risks present in mining. At the same time, they learned about the training initiatives for workers through technology.

Dante Pávez, a student at the high school, said: “I found it excellent and very interesting. What caught my attention the most was the issue of safety. The workers were very kind and shared their experiences with us.”

In addition, the students visited the Integrated Operations Centre (CIO room), where they took a tour of the Mines, Plants and Sewell Pit areas. They also had the opportunity to use simulators and explore various remote control stations.

Erick Avilés Gálvez, a student, said that “I found it to be an excellent experience. Before, I had only been outside El Teniente, but this time I was able to learn about the control system at Teniente 8, the management of the mineral grades and the LHD equipment, especially the machinery.”

This year, a pilot plan has been implemented that will allow for the visit of a hundred students from various establishments in Rancagua. For next year, it is hoped to establish a program that will include students from various communes in the Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins region.